Are you curious about making a contemporary art quilt
, but don't know where to start? One of the best ways to begin is to reinterpret a traditional pattern with a more modern feel. Try going back to an old favorite and see what a fresh color choice and a new look can do.

My pattern of choice is Drunkard's Path. In the Splash of Color quilt (pictured above), I used one of my favorite traditional designs, but made it contemporary with batik fabrics
and a rainbow color scheme accented with black and white for that spark of excitement! Using a variety of fabrics in each color band and in the black and white accents adds to the modern feel.

A classic made modern

The Irish Chain is a classic traditional quilt pattern that has fascinated quilters for many years. Designer Lynda Milligan makes the pattern fresh and new by interspersing stars in the design and using a rainbow of colors. The kit for Starry Irish Chain includes 12 Fat Quarters in a variety of colors and 5 yards of solid fabric to make a 59" x 74" quilt you're sure to treasure!

You can learn to design your own Irish Chain quilt (along with three other included patterns) in the Bluprint class The Twisted Irish Chain with Amy Gibson.

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Fresh quilt for summer

If you want to step outside the box and create something completely new, the Rainbow Sherbert quilt looks almost good enough to eat! The pattern from Nancy Smith includes a 90 piece box of Fossil Fern fabrics combined with Kona cotton in Snow to make a generous 56 x 64" quilt — perfect for adding a splash of color to your summer decor.

Modern pineapple place mats

If you'd rather start with a smaller project, what better choice than placemats and napkins with colorful Kaffe Fassett fabrics? Designed by Lynda Milligan, the kit includes the pineapple log cabin
pattern to make four placemats, plus a Fat Quarter bundle in blue and green and fabric for the matching napkins. Wake up your table!

For more masculine taste

If rainbow brights aren't your taste, check out the Pinwheel Squares Quilt kit from Timeless Treasures. Blue and brown batiks set off by crisp lights give this quilt a more masculine appearance, maybe for a special man in your life. Included in the pattern are 40 Tonga batiks cut in 10" squares, so you can dive right in to creating your quilt!

A contemporary challenge

Maybe you would rather take on a challenge from your own stash? Designed by Janice Ryan of Better Off Thread, the Spiral Geese Mini Quilt pattern will get your creativity flowing! It's a 22" square contemporary art quilt intended to hang on the wall, or you could be inspired to use it as a central medallion for a larger quilt. Learn a new technique as well with instructions for paper piecing and reverse turned edge applique!

Need a little more direction? Bluprint quilt kits
may be the answer. From table runners or placemats to full size quilts, Bluprint kits have everything you need to make a sparkling contemporary art quilt creation!

However you choose to get started creating contemporary art quilts, it gets easier after the first one. It might open up a whole new range of possibilities, so you won't look at quilt patterns the same way again!

What's your favorite traditional pattern to make modern?

Fact: sewing your quilt (or a smaller project, like pillow tops and table runners) by hand provides a soft finish that really can’t be achieved by machines. Not to mention there isn't anything that beats the zen of sewing something with needle and thread. If you're interested in trying the craft, these tips — along with the right supplies — can help you get started.

While there are hundreds of quilting gadgets on the market these days, when you're new to the craft it's best to start with the basics. So skip the fancy-pants gizmos — for now — and stock up on these important quilting tools that'll help make your first quilt a success.

Bias tape is a great way to bind, or seal in, raw edges. And while it’s commonly used as quilt binding, you can actually incorporate it into a variety of projects, whether you need to sew a face mask or want to add a fun design element to a garment. Here’s how to create the durable, stretchy tape — even if you don’t have a bias tape maker on hand.

Selvages run the entire length of a fabric bolt, and many people consider them to be garbage, cutting them off and throwing away without a second thought. But this finished end of your fabric can be handy in a project. After all, it's so tightly woven you don't have to worry about fraying. Here are some tips for putting 'em to good use.

Rule number one: don't throw out those fabric scraps, even the thinnest of strips. After all, you can use 'em to make a totally new project — like a string quilt! These block are simple to quilt and make use of every bit of your fabric stash. What's not to love?

Picture this: you go to the fabric store, pick out the perfect materials for your next project, and come home only to realize that — doh — you already have great fabric you could have used tucked away in a forgotten corner of your sewing room.

If you're a quilter or sewist, you've probably come across bias tape before. And while it's commonly used for quilt binding, there are a ton of ways you can incorporate bias tape into any project. The best part, though, may be just how easy it is to make yourself.

There's more than one way to bind a quilt, and this method just so happens to be one of the most quirky and fun. Prairie points are folded triangles made from fabric squares, and can be used to decorate table runners, pillows, tea towels and — you guessed it — quilt edges. Plus, finishing your quilt with a prairie point binding is just as easy as it is fun — here's what you need to know to make it happen.

Sometimes there isn't enough time to make an entire quilt for your husband, father or brother, especially if Father's Day or V-Day is right around the corner. But there's no need to stress — you can still flex your quilting muscles to create something perfect for them, fast. These gifts all come together quickly, and your guy is sure to love each one.

Bright, floral quilts are definitely lovable, but sometimes you want a pattern that's a little more masculine. And while the word "masculine" is totally subjective, in general we're talking quilts in more neutral colors, or those that steer clear of circles and other curvy shapes.

You know how, no matter how many amazing TV shows or movies air, you still have your go-to favorites; the ones you watch over and over again? Yeah, same thing happens here. These are the best quilting classes to fire up whenever you're in need of an extra dose of inspo or want to brush up on skills.

Clean, straight-line quilting is always the goal, but stitching them can be challenging. The secret to success? Marking your lines correctly. Thankfully, there's more than one way to get 'em just so. Play around with these tools and soon enough you'll have beautifully straight quilting lines every. single. time.

Batting seems like it ought to be a stress-free topic. After all, its entire job is to make things soft and comfy. Yet choosing the right one for your project can be totally confusing. There's cotton versus polyester, tons of different brands, issues like fiber content and loft — the list goes on and on. Luckily, these tips provide the insight you need to navigate the batting aisle like a total boss.

Fact: there's no better way for quilters to celebrate the Fourth of July than by stitching a scrappy flag quilt block. Your only decision: whether to make it your only patriotic quilt project, or the first of many!

You can't have a Fourth of July celebration without one very important thing: a quilted patriotic project! Whether you make a full-blown quilt, a star-spangled table runner or a red, white and blue mug rug, these patterns are sure to set off fireworks.

This year, make one of your quilting projects a little greener — and not the color green. Instead of buying more fabric, look for materials you already have around your home. It brings new life to pre-loved clothing, is easy on your wallet and maximizes your resources. What's not to love?

Real talk: sometimes crafting can use a lot of materials (that aren't exactly cheap). You can save your bank account some strife and show Mother Earth a lot of love by upcycling what you already have — here's how.

You don't need a longarm quilting machine to finish your quilt — stitch it with an embroidery machine instead! By quilting in the hoop, you can create quilts block by block, in long strips or stitch 'em whole. And with all the options your embroidery machine has, you can make quilts as simple or complex as you want.

Having a dedicated space for quilting is like having a little haven in your house. But with constant WIPs and late-night quilting sessions (especially for fans of the Midnight Quilt Show), it's easy for your studio to turn from sanctuary to stressful. But don't sweat — it's simple to keep your quilting room organized, especially if you follow these hacks.

St. Patrick's Day is all about green clothes, green beer and, for crafters, green quilts. In honor of the Irish holiday, choose any of the patterns below and start stitching a quilt that's sure to leave others feelin' green with envy.